Horsforth Brewery has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging Leeds pubs, bars and restaurants to support the growing real ale scene in Leeds.
The campaign, ‘Brewed in Leeds’ kicked off on Friday, 4 July, and seeks to put 22 independent breweries in the spotlight, showcasing the breadth of local beers available to Leeds residents that they may not currently be aware of.
While there are now over 1,500 real ale breweries in the UK, some of which are enjoyed amongst the hundreds of pubs and bars in Leeds, the local brewing scene itself is not well represented, with many pubs tending to buy in the big name brewers from further afield.
This means that local beer enthusiasts do not get the opportunity to sample and support the producers right on their doorstep.
The campaign is focused on getting Leeds drinking establishments to stock local beers, while local breweries are invited to join the campaign and put forward different options for people to enjoy.
Horsforth Brewery has already had some success with local breweries such as PigLove, who are also putting on a Leeds line in their taproom. They are encouraging all micro-breweries with taprooms like Crooked and DMC to get involved too.
Breweries like this brew in small batches, offering distinct flavours, including low alcohol beers for people who want the flavour but without such a high alcohol content. However, they lack the big marketing budgets to get their names out there, so Leeds drinkers are missing out.
The team at Horsforth Brewery, which was established in 2017, are showing their commitment by introducing ‘the Leeds line’ in its taproom this summer, where they’ll offer the range of ales from Leeds breweries, alongside their own. They have also invited all 22 breweries to be part of its annual August bank holiday beer festival, where they can showcase their range of ales in person, as well as offering them on tap.
Jenni Kerslake, bar manager at Horsforth Brewery, explained: “It’s all about raising awareness of local beers.
“There’s a lot of great beer out there, many by small outfits that people haven’t heard of, and it gets missed. Right now, it’s easier to buy ales from Leeds in places like Manchester than it is in Leeds, which is such a shame. I’m worked in Sheffield, and I know it’s far easier to buy from local breweries there than it is here, and that’s what we want to change.”
She added: “Our founder Mark is always keen to do his bit for the community and champion local causes.
“The festival will run over several days and beer lovers will get the chance to try beer from any – or all – of the 22 breweries represented by the Brewed in Leeds campaign, including our own. We’ve chosen some less well known styles such as bitters and New England IPAs alongside the usual favourites like pale ales.”
Thirsty West Leeds residents are encouraged to think and drink local by asking for Leeds ales at their favourite drinking places.
They are also invited to support the Brewed in Leeds Beer festival Friday 22 – Sunday 24August and raise a glass to our proud drinking heritage!
A number of men from West Leeds (and beyond) have been benefiting from an initiative to support isolated men.
The Getaway Guys project comes under the umbrella of men’s mental health groups run by Creative Frame CIC.
Other groups run by Creative Frame include Man Made and Man About Town, the latter of which provides a weekly music group in Armley and a walking group.
Jonathan Parker, Creative Frame founder and director, said: “Getaway Guys supports men who meet weekly at social groups but have no activities. We arrange free or subsidised trips out, meals and events when funds allow.”
Barry and Jonny from West Leeds in Hull Minster.
The most recent event took place on 2 July when a group of 14 men took the train to Hull for a day trip, courtesy of Northern Rail who provided free travel for the group.
Northern Rail funded the trip with a focus on male suicide prevention and to combat isolation.
Richard Isaac, regional community and sustainability manager for Northern Rail, told WLD: “At Northern we are proud to support partners in the regions who are working with men’s mental health groups to make a difference in our communities and prevent suicide.”
Jason from Wortley at Hull Station.
Jonathan Parker added “Northern recognise how important it is to talk about suicide in the context of the railway and support our male suicide prevention work.”
Apart from arranging trips out for its members, the group is very much focused on positive conversations that happen on the journey as much as the destination. Previous trips and activities have included a free barge trip at Mirfield, the Leeds Owl Trail and discounted ten pin bowling.
During the group’s trip to Hull, they visited Hull Minster, the Wilberforce House Museum and took a walk around the dock area.
Steve from Wortley in Wilberforce House Museum
The group had their own tour guide in the form of Stuart Hawkes, who runs a men’s group in Dewsbury called Men’s Talk.
Stuart, who hails from Hull, showed the group around local sites and places of interest. One grateful group member said: “Hull Minster was lovely, the stained glass windows and the knowledge of the volunteer was great.” Another group participant told WLD that it was “Good to meet new people and make new friends.”
Many of the group that travelled to Hull attend other Creative Frame/Man About Town groups and come from Bramley, Armley and Wortley. The Music group has just started meeting in Armley and the walking group takes in many walks around West Leeds as well as further afield.
The groups aim to support men by providing a safe and welcoming space in which to connect with others and promote wellbeing and self-esteem, and to help its’ members feel less isolated.
There are more Getaway Guys events planned during the rest of the year, see the Creative Frame website for further details here.
There is also lots more information about other projects on the website as well as a monthly newsletter to subscribe to.
For further information on the Man About Town Music Group and Walking Group, or if anyone would like to support the Getaway Guys with a donation, or if you are part of an organisation that can help the project with venues, travel and ideas, e-mail info@creativeframe.org.uk.
The Getaway Guys project is funded by Leeds Community Foundation’s Jimbo’s Fund.
It was a big weekend for tennis. As well as it being the Wimbledon Finals, members of the Kirkstall Abbey Tennis Club were able to see their four newly refurbished tarmac courts declared open too.
Chair of the Tennis club, Nici Pedley, said it was fantastic to see the new courts looking so good and that it was a great improvement to the facilities, which had been closed since April 2025.
“The resurfacing has given us a literal fresh start. It represents a new energy and direction. We want everyone to have fun and enjoy this new chapter for Kirkstall Abbey Tennis Club,” Nici said.
She thanked the club and its members, who contributed £15,000 towards the project. Thanks were also given to The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), who contributed the majority of the funds, and to Leeds City Council, who provided project management support.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Barry Anderson (Cons), was on hand to lend his support and to cut the ribbon. He expressed: “Heartfelt thanks to the LTA for their generous grant of £50,000. Their investment in grassroots tennis is helping to grow the game.”
The club plans to bring back a competitive league and to provide coaching sessions on Saturdays. Courts can now be booked online by club members non-members alike.
Anyone looking to try tennis can attend free sessions held at Kirstall Abbey Tennis Club on Sunday mornings at 10am.
Club details can be found on their Facebook and website.
Weetwood Mac on the stage. Photo: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
Words: Sam Gillinder
Photos: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
A spectacular concert took place at Kirkstall Abbey on the eve of the Kirkstall Festival.
The acts on show were Weetwood Mac and Graceland presented by Gary Stewart. Naomi Kelly also performed. The aim of the concert is to raise much-needed funds for the annual Kirkstall Festival.
The performances entertained the crowd and provided an incredible night for the audience.
Check out the slideshow of images below:
Ellen Smith. Photo: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
Sam Wood. Photo: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
Gary Stewart fronted Graceland. Photo: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
Ellen Smith and Sam Wood Photo: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
Weetwood Mac on the stage. Photo: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
Abbey music: Photo: Jonathan Taylor from cloud9 photography
First to take to the stage was Naomi Kelly who performed as a solo artist. She showed the crowd what a talented guitarist she is and wowed the people there with her beautiful voice.
Her set consisted of covers and original songs written by herself. The songs she sang included Stick Season by Noah Kahon. Songs such as Edinburgh and Understudy were penned by herself.
Graceland performed next. Named after the Paul Simon album, they were fronted by Gary Stewart. Their style was very much a Paul Simon one and they sang a lot of his hits.
There were even tracks penned under Simon and Garfunkel, the collaboration between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.
Mrs Robinson was a big favourite amongst the audience.
Then came Weetwood Mac, a tribute to the famous band of a similar name. The sun was beginning to set above the ruins of the Abbey as dusk descended.
Ellen Smith stood in the centre of the stage playing rhythm guitar and was flanked byGary Stewart on bass and Sam Wood playing lead guitar. The atmosphere in the Nave became electric.
Ellen sang some of the biggest hits by Fleetwood Mac and was supported by vocals from Gary and Sam.
James Warrender was on drums and Chris Quick on keyboard. The set included “Silver Springs” and “Gypsy”. Through sultry guitar solos from Sam and a purely solo performance of “Landslide” by Ellen which had the place captivated, the show was incredible.
“I wanna be with you everywhere” was also brilliant “Sweet Little Lies” and “Go Your Own Way” were almost the highlights of the night, but when they played “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks the whole place rocked.
The audience had enjoyed a performance worthy of any stage at a festival. The show was one that the crowd there will never forget.
Pudsey Wellbeing Centre. Copyright Stephen Craven and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
A charity supporting Pudsey people is searching for a new home.
Pudsey Wellbeing Charity was founded in 2013 and offers a social hub providing activities for the community from Pudsey Wellbeing Centre, on Robin Lane.
The charity has around 17 groups running in the building, which are run by over 40 volunteers.
But the charity has just announced it has been given notice to leave the centre.
In a statement, chair of trustees Jill Huggins said: “We are deeply saddened to inform everyone that Pudsey Wellbeing Charity has been given notice to vacate Pudsey Wellbeing Centre by the start of January 2026.
“Our charity aims to promote wellbeing in the community by ending isolation and providing peer support to the residents of Pudsey and surrounding areas.
“While this is a difficult situation the trustees and staff are committed to finding alternative premises where all our groups and services can continue to run and flourish in the future.
“Pudsey Wellbeing Charity wouldn’t exist without the support of our wonderful volunteers and community. We continue to value you all and will be sure to keep you updated as and when we know more.
“All our activities will continue as normal in the interim period. If you have any concerns, suggestions, or need to discuss this news, please speak to Sophie, Rachel, or any of the Trustees.”
The initial idea for the charity came from the partners at Robin Lane Health and Wellbeing Centre, who purchased a derelict building on the same site as the medical centre. They wanted to create a space for the Pudsey Wellbeing Charity to run groups and activities for the local community.
Rachel Reeves MP meets youngsters at the breakfast club at Christ Church Upper Armley Primary School. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
By Rachel Reeves, Chancellor and Leeds West and Pudsey MP
A little over a year ago, people across Leeds West and Pudsey voted for change.
They put their faith in a changed Labour party back in the service of working people and they put their faith in me, as your local Member of Parliament, striving to make working people in Leeds West and Pudsey better off and deliver for our communities.
Since last July, the difference a Labour government in power is making here in west Leeds is plain to see.
An artist’s impression of a mass transit system in Leeds
From backing vital transport infrastructure like the Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass upgrade as well as West Yorkshire Mass Transit, to delivering on our promises for neighbourhood policing such as the establishment of the new dedicated police team in Armley as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Police Guarantee.
We’re also seeing waiting lists down and record cash investment in the NHS because this Labour government is determined to achieve better outcomes for patients and tackle the 8am scramble for appointments by funding the recruitment for more GPs.
Education was a driving force that got me into politics and I am so proud to be part of a government that believes all children growing up in our country deserve the best start in life.
Our manifesto last year committed to reforming our childcare and education systems to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain.
Government-funded childcare is rising to 30 hours in September for working parents; we’re turning the tide on teacher recruitment and retention with over 2,300 teachers already recruited and over 1,000 in training; we’re rolling out our free breakfast clubs such as the one at Christ Church Upper Armley which I had the pleasure of dropping into recently; and we are lifting over 100,000 children out of poverty by expanding free school meals eligibility.
Through our Plan for Change, Labour is building a system where every child can achieve and thrive.
Change has begun in Leeds West and Pudsey. I am just as impatient for change today as I was when you elected me to undo the 14 years of decline under the previous government. I knew then that this would be no small task.
As Chancellor, my action to bring back economic stability has seen interest rates cut four times making mortgages cheaper and protecting pensions.
The increase I announced to the minimum wage has boosted the pay packets of three million workers; delivering on our commitment to the triple lock is giving 12 million pensioners an increase of up to £470 per year; freezing fuel duty is saving the average driver £60 this year and capping bus fares is saving money for thousands of passengers.
Our expansion of the Warm Homes Discount will see £150 coming off energy bills for over 200,000 families in our region. We have banned bonuses for bosses at water companies, including Yorkshire Water, which is something I know my constituents have been angry about.
In Parliament, Labour is driving through powerful legislation like the Employment Rights Bill and Renters Reform Bill that are set to have a real, tangible impact on the lives of working people here in Leeds West and Pudsey to make work pay and renting fairer.
But I know the cost of living crisis is not over and there is more work to do, and I am determined to deliver on our promise to put more money in working people’s pockets.
As your local MP, my office has dealt with hundreds of cases since July. I have had countless conversations on the doorstep and paid visits to every corner of the constituency over the past year.
Representing Leeds West and Pudsey in Parliament is a privilege and I am working tirelessly to make sure the people I represent here feel like they live in a country where their contribution is fairly rewarded.
A year ago, you put your trust in Labour, in me, and I am so proud to be serving you, securing our future through Labour’s Plan for Change, delivering security for working people here in Leeds West and Pudsey and investing in our national renewal.
This is a journey that will take time but the work of change is well under way.
Heatwave: Sunny Kirkstall Festival 2025.
Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
Words: Sam Gillinder
Photos: Kelvin Wakefield & Susan Tellum
The Kirkstall Festival, a huge event in Leeds, took place amid the stunning backdrop of Kirkstall Abbey.
The festival showcased a myriad of stalls amid a summer heatwave, which drew the crowds.
Charities, small businesses and political movements were all represented.
There were a lot of interesting things for the children to enjoy including swings and rides, a ghost train and dodgems were also present.
A waltzer was the pick of the rides.
Several food stalls ranging from hot dogs and cheese burgers to chicken stalls and Indian food were all available.
See below for a slideshow of 21 photos by photographer Kelvin Wakefield:
The music on show was a huge part of the occasion and the main stage showcased the talent on offer.
First to grace the stage were Pop n Rock, a choir of women. They sang covers of some highly entertaining songs. Their finale of a mixture of Abba hits was entertaining.
Next up were a band called State of Georgia. The lead singer and keyboard player named Georgia Jakubiak was incredible.
Sunny Kirkstall Festival. Photo: Susan Tellum
Following them were Louis, Louis, Louis. Their set included songs such as “tequila”, perfect for the audience where most were enjoying a drink.
Performing next were Music from the Attic, a band that got together with the ethos of dusting down old instruments and resuming their passion for music with other like minded people.
The final band to play on the main stage were The Good Foot Collective. Their set was described by one of the members of the band as “New Orleans oriented for the weather” and he couldn’t have been more right.
The Kirkstall Art Trail sign with Mickey the dog looking on. Photo: Mindy Goose
By Jim Corah
During Saturday 19 July and Sunday 20 July 2025, homes, businesses, and community organisations will be openning their doors literally and figuratively by hosting artists for the Art Trail.
Over the weekend there will be exhibitions, demonstrations, and workshops encouraging visitors to engage with and learn about art.
The free event spreads all over Kirkstall, stretching into Bramley (with exhibiting artists in Lilacs), up to the Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club and Queenswood Social Club, across to Eden Crescent, and over to Hawksworth.
Flashback to Kirkstall Art Trail 2024. Photo: Jim Corah
Maps are freely available from the Hub on Norman Street during the event, as well as from venues and on the website.
Growing every year since the first art trail in 2015 (with the exception of 2020 to 2022 with the impact of the pandemic), the number and variety of local and West Yorkshire artists has increased to a “dazzling” level (2024 visitor comment).
Kirkstall Art Trail aims to support artists who are starting out with their art as well as those who are more established. Just as it is free to visit, it is free for artists to make a submission to exhibit.
For visitors there are workshops and demonstrations (some of which may charge for participation to cover material costs), offering the opportunity to try something new and learn new techniques.
Kirkstall Art Trail 2023. Photo: Stephen Cole
Returning for a second year, the upcycling fashion show will be held in the Abbey Nave at 2pm on Saturday 19 July 2025. Also in the Nave on Sunday 20 July 2025 will be a dance exhibition.
In terms of activities and demonstrations, these include portrait drawing taster sessions, paper animal masks, wood-based art, gelli plate printing (always a visitor favourite), stone carving, and needle felting illustration.
There will be a camera obscure in Kirkstall Abbey and a topographical emotional landscape of Kirkstall and West Leeds. Children will have a scavenger hunt to collect stamps from venues across Kirkstall Art Trail.
Continuing to explore the written word, the Poetry Trail has grown in number with 40-odd poems attached to street furniture for visitors, this year with an online map to view details of the poets, and there will be a spoken word event with open mic at the Queenswood Social Club on Saturday, 19 July 2025.
The whole weekend would not be possible without funding from Leeds City Council’s Community Committee as well as donations from members of the public and businesses.
Kirkstall Art Trail also benefit from support from our volunteers, members of our community who give their free time to ensure Kirkstall thrives and comes together to celebrate each other.
You will know from WLD‘s what’s on calendar that the String of Beads Ladies Choir gave their summer concert at their home base of Trinity Methodist Church in Bramley on Saturday.
I happened upon a taster for this concert when the choir visited the Sunflower Cafe in Farsley, and loved them. First impression: The ladies were colourfully dressed, calm and really looking forward to singing for their audience.
I took my seat for this unexpected treat, and was not disappointed.
The singers, accompanist, and Musical Director Joe Smith, gave us traditional songs, pop classics, movie hits, and classic show tunes from their extensive contemporary repertoire.
The mood settled into rapt involvement, as the top and middle sopranos and the alto voices moved round and through the familiar melodies in delicious harmonies.
They ended with a mesmerising foretaste of an Oklahoma medley which I confidently predict will have Rodgers and Hammerstein fans humming happily for days to come.
Moreover, if humming isn’t enough and perhaps reminds you how much you used to love singing in the choir, or regretting that you never got the chance to be in a choir before – you are cordially invited to an open rehearsal at the choir’s regular time of 7.30pm-9.15pm tomorrow (Tuesday, July 15), at Trinity Methodist Church.
If you have only seen the church from the outside, it has a light, airy interior which is a pleasure to sing in, and you can be sure of a warm welcome.
In fact, we’ll hopefully see one another, because I’m going along too. I decided right after the Sunflower Cafe concert!
An Armley councillor has announced she will stand down at next May’s Leeds City Council elections.
Alice Smart was elected as a Labour councillor in Armley ward 12 years ago and is planning to spend more time with her two young children.
In a statement released this morning, Cllr Smart said: “After a lot of reflection, I’ve made the decision not to restand as a Labour councillor in Armley at next year’s local elections in order to spend more time with my two young children.
“It has been a huge privilege to serve this community for the past 12 years.
“During that time we’ve seen the introduction of a Cumulative Impact Policy for Armley Town Street, the return of Armley Festival, a new playground for Armley Park and progress made to deliver a Selective Licensing Policy to crack down on rogue private landlords.
“I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my wonderful ward colleagues and the people of Armley.”
Armley Labour Party has yet to announce a candidate for next May’s election.
Cllr Smart added: “Whoever is selected as the Labour Party candidate for Armley in 2026 will have my full support. I have never taken the support of local people for granted and we will work tirelessly to retain a strong Labour team in the ward.”
She had also been the chair of the council’s inner west community committee for several years.
Cllr Smart is married to Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards. They have two children.
This poster sings to me of the pleasures of an open-air concert on a summer afternoon; when everyone simply shows up, spreads out and plonks themselves down.
No-one knows what the band is going to play, only that they’ll enjoy finding out. My beloved grew up with Durham and Yorkshire colliery bands, and I love Bramley Park anyway, so Sunday, July 6 went straight in the calendar.
Sunday dawned, which is to say that I looked out mid-morning through a rain-speckled window, to see light glimmering wanly through what looked like layers of kapok. Oh boy.
We dithered as showers came and went throughout the morning but, in the end, we put on our waterproof jackets and started walking up.
We crossed Bramley Park, leaning into the wind and rain, me with my brolly angled like a riot shield. Could the concert really go ahead in this? There isn’t a bandstand in Bramley Park, so we weren’t even sure where we were going.
Then we saw a musician trudging doggedly towards us, wheeling a big black tuba case, his blue shirt plastered to his body. We thought the concert must have been cancelled, but no, he stopped to ask other wet walkers for directions. Ah, the Cenotaph! Poor man, he wished he’d parked closer.
As we turned onto the exposed central path, the wind picked up, whipping tree branches in all directions, and the rain turned properly horizontal. The tuba player grimly picked up the pace and we followed. I was grateful that my umbrella still hadn’t blown inside out, but we were also pretty certain that we’d get to the Cenotaph just in time to see the band pack up and go.
However, as we got to the bottom of the path, the rain started easing off to vertical. What a relief!
The tuba player, still dragging his case, hurried away to where the rest of the band were sorting out chairs and music stands beneath a pair of fold-out gazebos in the lee of some broad trees and a dense leylandii. It would be nice to think that he had a spare shirt in that whopping great tuba case.
Looking round, we could see people already encamped under a canopy of mature trees. Unsurprisingly, some were parents of band members.
We were lucky to score a wet park bench, but these couples were veterans of a family life which revolved around drop-offs, pick-ups, waiting outside music lessons, and sitting in on rehearsals and band practice.
Strategically positioned out of the worst of the weather, they were properly gig-ready with camping chairs, umbrellas, sandwiches and flasks of hot tea.
Sally, one of the Friends of Bramley Park, was there to enjoy the music, and so was Christopher. Maureen didn’t know Tutti! She simply wanted to get out of the house and hear some music.
She started telling me about her career as a soprano in a professional choir, and I wish I could have heard more but, unfortunately, there was no time: the Musical Director was introducing herself and the band: Tutti! Leeds Community Concert Band!
I recognised Joelle Braithwaite from when she conducted Bramley Youth Brass at Class Act Youth Theatre’s Summer Show, on a hot June afternoon in Trinity Methodist Church. Today, she was standing coatless in the open, under a lowering sky, so that both the musicians – and we, the scattered audience, could see and hear her.
Still, as she cheerfully told us: “We know about outdoor concerts!” That’s another story that I’d have liked to hear, but the rain had stopped, more people were hurrying through the bottom gate, and Joelle was not going to waste any time.
Turning back to the musicians, she raised her baton, paused briefly, all eyes on her, and nodded. The band launched into the Star Wars theme by John Williams. What a great opener for a brass band concert!
People continued to arrive as Star Wars rang out. With every bench already occupied by the time the band played Happy, a small group settled in the protective embrace of the Cenotaph.
A romantic arrangement of Pure Imagination felt made for a slow dance. Maureen said it was far too slow for even the slowest foxtrot (she had also been an exhibition dancer) but it was still gorgeous to sway to.
Then we transitioned though a peppy number to – The Time Warp! Joelle said we were welcome to join them, but it seemed that no-one was up for a jump to the left or even a step to the right. We pulled our hoods in ti-i-ight, for fear that it might rai-ai-ai-ai-ai-ain… and the Band Played the Time Warp agaaaiiiin…
Next was –
Isn’t She Lovely?
The tuba, trombones and saxes sauntered in with The Pink Panther, and we all lapped it up.
Next was a gorgeous medley of songs from Oliver! – Oliver’s wistful ‘Where is Love?’ and Dodger’s bracing ‘Consider Yourself’; the back and forth of big brass, woodwind and flute voices in ‘I’d Do Anything’; the tragic self-knowledge of Nancy’s ‘As Long As He Needs Me’; and circling back to ‘Consider Yourself’ for the big finish. This was my favourite section so far.
But then we were marched into the Big Band sound, by way of Wallace and Gromit. I love this band!
The clarinets had their time to shine in Little Brown Jug, and an In the Mood that still swings, eighty-five years after it was first recorded.
Then we went way down South…. to Birmingham… to dance the night away to the electric bass. Cue Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll before we got In the Mood again, to close a very satisfying big band set.
Still the weather held, but Joelle was afraid to interrupt the concert in case the heavens opened again while we were all next door having a cuppa at the Crown Green Bowling Club, and we didn’t come back!
So we went to the romantic Banks and Braes of Bonny Doon, diverted briefly to Mexico for – The Children of Sanchez – and then paused for a while so the band could get their breath back.
As for the audience, while we weren’t going to get the perfect sunset in the poster, we did have everything else – picnics, catching up with friends (beginning new friendships, too), children playing safely, even a dog chasing a stick – and this great programme of live music – all free!
We even had Uptown Funk!
Then Joelle announced, “We’re going to Scotland now. We’ve got the weather for it!” We went by way of The Hebrides Suite, with a swinging walk out across the heather, a nostalgic, lulled coach ride home, and a perky piece punctuated by woodblock and triangle – motorway services?
The last piece in the suite felt truly martial, uplifting and expansive, played in the open air. I saw that a military march did more than keep soldiers in step with a Hup!234!
Its purpose was to carry ranks of mothers’ sons down the street and away to war, with heads up and chests out, and to displace fear and dread with pride and hope: to get communities waving and cheering as they watched their boys – and they were often still boys – march away to fight and die.
A march shows us one aspect of the extraordinary power of music. On this occasion, though, we could simply enjoy the sense of swinging kilts, fluttering banners and full hearts, in a piece about Scotland, composed by an American and played by a Yorkshire community brass band.
Next – Bare Necessities! – before we all joined in with Bohemian Rhapsody; huddled in our coats, squeaking, “Galileo! Galileo!”. Well, you have to, don’t you?!
Joelle paused to invite us all to their next Bands in the Park gig, in Stanningley Park on Sunday 27 August, when she guarantees better weather!
In the meantime, the wind was rising again, and I had to be somewhere else, but I’ve put 2pm on Sunday 27 August at Stanningley Park in my calendar. I want to hear this concert again. Especially as Joelle guarantees sun!
I walked away to a wacky medley which included Rock and Roll Part 2 (That’s ‘The Hey Song’ to most of us.) and YMCA, and I was halfway up the park when the band at last put down their instruments and took their bow, but the enthusiastic applause reached me loud and clear.
A blackbird started singing on a branch overhead and – I am not making this up – it started raining again!
Tutti! rehearse at the Bramley St Peter’s Church, Hough Lane, Bramley, Leeds LS13 3NF from 10.15am-11.45am on Saturdays during term time.
New wind, brass and percussion players of around Grade 4 standard are very welcome to come and join us. There is no formal audition; you just need to enjoy playing and making music with other people.” Find out more here.
For those who have “taken up an instrument and may only play a few notes” but would like the experience of playing in a group, there is also this.
Finally, Bramley Youth Brass will be welcoming in September. Contact details below.
More than 1,100 people have signed a petition against the possible sale of a town’s historic municipal building.
As reported by WLD last week, Leeds City Council has confirmed it is looking at options for the sale of Pudsey Town Hall.
The cash-strapped authority said it was costing thousands of pounds a year to maintain the vacant building, which dates back to the late 19th century.
An online petition calling for a halt to the sale and public consultation on the hall’s future has been signed by 1,050 people.
The old council chamber at Pudsey Town Hall is preserved to this day. Photo: John Baron
The petition website said: “This is more than just bricks and mortar.
“Pudsey Town Hall is a symbol of our civic pride, our local heritage, and our community’s identity.”
The petition also calls for the creation of a Pudsey Town Council to take on political decision-making in the town.
Built in 1880, the Robin Lane building was the headquarters of Pudsey Urban District Council from 1912-1974.
Non-profit Pudsey Town Hall Community Interest Company (CIC) has been drawing up plans for future use of the building.
But a spokesperson for the city council, which must save more than £100m this financial year, said: “The council can confirm it has decided to explore available options for the sale of Pudsey Town Hall.
“The decision to now explore a possible sale has not been taken lightly but, given our well-documented financial challenges, we must continuously assess all options for our city-wide portfolio of properties.
“Those same challenges mean we are not in a position to indefinitely sustain the cost of maintaining a vacant building, which for the last financial year alone ran into five figures.”
WLD has been following local and national government cuts in West Leeds via its Cutswatch series here.
